Vehicle-elevator.



H. E. SHUMWAY 6L W. T. SCHULZ.

VEHICLE ELEVATOR.

APPLICATION 'FILED Ams, 1914.

LMUU. Patented June 22, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.. o

K rfb Wmme eo THE NORRIS PETERS C0.; FHOTC-LITHO., WASHINGTON. DA CV E STATES BALTENT FF@E.

HARVEY E. SHUMWAY AND WALTER T. SCI-IOLZ, 0F FRANKFORT, KANSAS, ASSIGNORS TO THE S. & S. AUTOMATIC TIREAZE COMPANY, OF MARYSVILLE, KANSAS, A COR- PORATION OF KANSAS.

VEHICLE-ELEVATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J une 22, 1915..

Application filed April S, 1914. Serial N o. 830,439.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, HARvEY E. SHUM- wAY and l/VALTER T. ScI-roLz, both citizens of the United States, residing at Frankfort, in the county of Marshall and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Irnproveniente in Vehicle-Elevators, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a vehicle elevating device of that type that has special utility in its application to the handling of automobiles, and which automatically lifts the vehicle to an elevated position so that the dead weight thereof is removed from the tireswhen not in service.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and substantial device of the character set forth which will automatically convert the forward motion of the vehicle into upward motion which will raise the same so that the wheels are out of contact with the ground, in a manner similar to our pending applications Serial Nos. 785,586, tiled August 19, 1913, and 821,013, filed February 25, 1914. In addition to automatically raising the vehicle from the ground, the present device includes means for automatically retaining the vehicle in its raised position, which is also capable of elevating the vehicle to a still higher position than that attained by the original momentum thereof.

The invention also contemplates the provision of novel means for starting the rise of the vehicle platform. That is to say, to insure the full coperation of the several elevating parts to the best advantage, the present construction has in view a preliminary lifting device which materially aids and facilitates the operation of the apparatus.

With the above and other objects in view which will more readily appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated and claimed.

A preferred and practical embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which' Figure 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus in its folded or collapsed position. Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the vehicle platform elevated to a horizontal plane. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 isa transverse sectional view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several ligures of the drawings.

The present embodiment includes in its organization a plurality of inclined elevating guides 1 1 and 2 2, which are preferably arranged in pairs to form front and rear sets of prime elevating members A and B. At this point, it may be noted that each of the guide members 1 1 comprising the front set A are of similar construction while the guide members 2 2 of the rear set B are also similar to each other. That is, to say, each of the members 1 1 which are of substantially I-beam formation includes a guide channel 3 which is formed by the side walls 4 and 5. The side wall 5 which is the outer one of the walls of the channel is provided with an inturn'ed holding iiange 6 at its top edge. This construction is also common to the guide members 2 2, so that the only substantial difference between the members forming the front and rear sets of elevating guides A and B is in the length and shape of the guide channels which in the members 1 1 are curved at their upper end as at 7 to act as a shock absorber should the momentum of the vehicle tend to carry the vehicle supporting platform S farther forward than necessary to cause the tire of the vehicle to clear the floor. l

The vehicle supporting platform 8 comprises a pair of parallel frame bars 9 which are connected by transverse braces 10 and 1.1. In connection with the braces 10 at the forward end of the platform, it will be observed that the same comprises for convenience in assembling duplicate sections 12 and 13 each of which have overlapping tongue portions 14 which may be fastened together by the bolts 15 as shown in Fig. 4. Each of the frame bars 9 is provided at its forward end with a vehicle abutment 16, and its rear end with a rear aXle engaging socket member 17. With further reference to the vehicle abutment 1G it will be observed that the same is provided with a pivoted latch member 16a which is substantially arc-shaped and normally has one end thereof below the other as shown in Fig. 1. The object of this construction is to enable lso automobiles whose steering rods are in front of the front axle to operate the device without injury to the said rod. In other words by this arrangement when a car having the rods in front is guided on the platform the rod will strike the lower ends of the latches 16a and cause their forward ends vto dip forward between the axle and steering rod, that is, to the position shown in F ig. 2 and form a bumper for the axle itself.

' By reference -to Fig. 1, it will be observed that the platform 8 is normally in an inclined position, so that the first movement thereof caused by Aan oncoming vehicle is from this position to a horizontal plane as shown in F ig. 2. In yorder yto effect this action of the platform, each one of the frame bars comprising' the Vsame is provided at its forward end withthe fixed supporting arms 18 which are rigidly secured to the frame bars 9 and front brace 10, while the rear ends of said bars have pivotally attached thereto suitable elevating link-s 19. These said links 19 'may be lengthened if desired to cause the rear end of the platform to be raised higher than the front as in our other pending ap plications herein mentioned. The elevation of the rear end of the platform to a greater' height than the front may also be accomplished by increasing the angle of the rear inclines 5. Since the change of pitch of the inclines 5 and the length of the links 19 are merely matters of degree, the same are not shown on the drawings, though it will of course be understood that these changes can be resorted to without departing from the invention, to accommodate the present device to the particular type of car with which it is used. Each of the supporting arms 18 and the pivoted elevating links 19 have attached to their lower ends wheeled trucks 2O which are adapted to travel in the channels 3 of the inclined guide members 1-1 and 2*-2.

As will be observed from Fig. 1, the purpose of pivoting the elevating links 19 is to permit the device to assume a folded or collapsed position, so that a vehicle being driven astride the platform will have no hindrance until it strikes the abutments 1G. Each of the elevating links 19 have at their lower ends which are also pivoted in the trucks 20, a trip notch 21 which is adapted to engage with an upstanding stud 22 in the channel or guide of the members of the rear set of prime elevating guides B. The location of this stop projection 22 is such that it will come in contact with the wall 23 of the notch 21 during the forward movement of the platform 8 thereby tilting the links 19 from their rearwardly inclined position to a perpendicular position as shown in Fig. 2. In order to prevent the links 19 from tilting forward out of their perpendicular plane each of the frame bars 9 carries a stop member 21 directly behind the pivot point of each link. It will thus be observed vthat as soon as a vehicle strikes the abutments 16 on the front of the platform 3, the latter will be lifted to ay horizontal position because of the links 19 being thrown into the position shown in F ig. 2, and the trucks 20 at the ends of the supporting members 1S and 19 will ride up the inclined channels of the guide members as far as the momentum of the machine will carry the same. Further, in connection with the notch 21, it will be observed that upon the descent of the platform S from its elevated position to its normal collapsed position, rthe wall 25 of said notch will engage with the stop projection 22 to tilt the links 19 from their perpendicular or vertical position back to their original rearward inclination.

For the'purpose of rendering the operation of the apparatus more eiiicient and giving the links 21 their initial tilt or movement, each of the frame bars 9 carries at its extreme rear end a depending bracket arm 26 in which is journaled a roller 27 which rides upon the face 23 of a starting cam 29. One of these starting cams 29 is arranged in line with and to the rear of each of the guide members 2 2, so that it is apparent that upon any forward movement of the platform S a quick upward movement of the rear end of the platform will be effected to cause the sockets 17 to quickly and positively engage the rear axles of the machine.

For the purpose of retaining the platform 8 in its elevated position, or elevating it to a higher position than that attained by the original momentum of the vehicle, the front end of the apparatus is provided with an auxiliary elevating and retaining device designated in its entirety by the reference character C. This portion of the device essentially comprises a rack member 30 which has pivotally attached to the rear end thereof the bracket arms 31 which connect with the transverse fiont brace 10 between the frame bars 9 of the vehicle platform. The rack 30 is longitudinally movable in a guide housing 32 and meshes with a pinion 33 journaled upon a shaft 34 which latter is supported in a suitable frame work 35 arranged transversely of the apparatus between the front guide members 1 1. The pinion 33 has connected therewith a ratchet wheel 36 that is engaged by a spring pressed pawl 37 pivoted to a portion of the frame work 35. A rocking lever 38 is pivoted on the shaft 341 adjacent the ratchet wheel 3G and is also provided with a spring pressed pawl. 39 adapted to engage with the teeth of the ratchet in such a manner that upon each forward movement of the lever, the pinion will be rotated to draw the rack 30 forward thereby causing the platform 8 to be elevated to a higher position, because of the connection between the end of the rack and the brace 10 of the platform.

From the foregoing description, the operation of the device is believed to be apparent. However, in order to sum up the general action thereof, it will be observed from Fig. 1 which shows the normal collapsed position of the apparatus, that the elevating platform 8 is inclined so that its rear end is low enough to provide clearance for an oncoming vehicle, so that no part of the latter comes in contact with any part of the apparatus until it reaches the abutments 16. Immediately upon contact with the said abutments, the vehicle pushes the platform 8 forward, the rear end thereof being quickly elevated so that the entire platform assumes a horizontal position and the sockets 17 are thrown into engagement with the rear axle of the vehicle. By providing the starting cam 29 at the rear end of the device, it Will be obvious that the action of this part of the apparatus is materially hastened while at the same time considerable strain is relieved from the links 19 before they come in contact with the trip or stop stud 22. If the momentum of the vehicle causes the apparatus to assume the position shown in Fig. 2, and it is desired to elevate the same still higher, it is only necessary to bring into action the auxiliary elevating and retaining mechanism C. That is to say, by rocking the lever 38, the ratchet wheel 36 which is keyed to the pinion 33 is rotated so that the said pinion 33 pulls the rack 30 forward, thereby pulling the platform 8 forward also in such a manner that the trucks 20 are forced to climb higher in the channels of the guide members. In order to bring the platform 8 to its normal position and effect the collapse of the apparatus, it is only necessary to disengage the pawls 37 and 39 from the ratchet 36, and the weight of the vehicle will quickly cause the several parts to assume their normal position.

Te claim:

1. A vehicle elevating device including a plurality of stationary guide members, and a vehicle supporting platform having relatively fixed truck members slidably mounted in certain of said guide members and also lia-ving automatically foldable truck members slidably mounted in other of said guide members.

2. A vehicle elevating device including front and rear pairs of stationary inclined guide members, and a vehicle supporting platform carrying fixed truck members riding on the front guides, and also carrying folding rear truck members riding on the rear guide members.

3. A vehicle elevator including a vehicle supporting platform, a plurality of inclined guide members, supporting members carried by the platform and riding in said guide members to elevate the platform, and means for elevating and retaining the platform to higher elevated positions.

4. A vehicle elevator including a vehicle supporting platform, a plurality. of inclined guide members, said vehicle platform carrying supporting members riding in said guide members to elevate the same, cam means for starting the rise of the platform and means for holding the platform in elevated position.

5. A vehicle elevator including a vehicle supporting platform, a front and rear set of inclined guide members, supporting members rigidly carried by the front end of said vehicle platform, and other supporting members pivotally carried by the rear of said platform, each of said supporting members adapted to ride in the inclined elevating guide members, and means for elevating and retaining the platform in higher elevated positions.

6. A vehicle elevator including a vehicle supporting platform, a front and rear set of inclined guide members, supporting members rigidly carried by the front end of said platform, and other supporting members pivotally carried by the rear of said platform, each of said supporting members adapted to ride in the inclined elevating guide members, cam means for starting the rise of the rear end of the platform, and auxiliary elevating and retaining means connected to the forward end of said platform.

7. A vehicle elevating device including a vehicle platform and a plurality of inclined elevating guides, supporting trucks carried by said platform and movable in said guides, cam means for starting the rise of the said platform, and auxiliary elevating and retaining means connected with the forward end of said platform.

8. A vehicle elevating device including a vehicle platform and front and rear sets of inclined elevating guides, rigid supporting arms carried by the front end of said platform and movable in the front inclined elevating guides, pivoted elevating and supporting links carried by the rear of the vehicle platform and movable in the rear inclined elevating guides, means for tripping the rear supporting members to their extended position, and auxiliary elevating and retaining means connected with the forward end of said platform.

9. A vehicle elevating device including a vehicle platform and front and rear sets of inclined elevating guides, fixed means carried by the front of said platform adapted to ride in the front set of inclined elevating guides, pivoted elevating means carried by the rear of said platform and adapted to ride in the rear set of inclined elevating guides, cam means for starting the rise of the rear end 'of 'the platform, means for tripping rsaid pivoted elevating means to abruptly raise the rear end of the lplatform to its horizontal position, and'auxiliary elevating and retaining means connected with the forward end of'said platform.

l0. A vehicle elevating device comprising a vehicle platform normally lower 'at its rear end than at its front end, front and rear sets of inclined elevating guides, fixed supporting members carried by the platform and movable in the front set of inclined elevating guides, supporting links carried by the rear of the platform having one end pivoted thereto and the other pivoted in a truck movable in the rear inclined elevating guides, means for tripping said supporting links to raise the rear end of the vehicle platform to the same level as the front end, and auxiliary elevating and retaining means connectedwith the forward end of said platform:

11. A vehicle elevating device comprising a vehicle platform normally lower at its rear end than at its front end, front and rear sets of inclined elevating guides, fixed supporting members carried by the platform and movable in the front set of inclined elevating guides, supporting links carried by the rear of the platform having one end pivoted thereto and the other pivoted in a truck movable in the rear inclined elevating guides, cam means for starting the rise of the rear end of the platform, means for tripping said supporting links and coper- 'ating with said cam means to raise the rear end of the vehicle platform to the same level as the front end, and auxiliary ele fating and retaining means connected with the forward end of said platform.

12. A vehicle elevating device including a vehicle platform normally lower at its rear end than at its front end, front and rear sets of inclined elevating guides, fixed supporting members carried by the front end of said elevating platform, 'trucks pivotally receiving the lower end of said fixed supporting members and movable in the front set of inclined guides, supporting links pivotally carried by the rear of said platform and provided with a trip notch, trucks pivotally receiving the lower kends of said supporting links and movable in the rear set of inclined guides, stop projections located in the rear guides and adapted to engage with the trip notches of the supporting links to tilt the latter, cam means for starting the rise of the vehicle platform, and auxiliary elevating and retaining means connected with the forward end of said platform.

In testimony whereof we hereunto affix our signatures in the presence of two witnesses.

HARVEY E. SHUMVVAY. VALTER T. SCHOLZ. Witnesses H. KENNEDY, L. J. RHODES.

Copies of this patent may be attained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of liatents,

Washington, D. C. 

